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The aikido section starts at 23:45, and the report on the martial arts starts at 20:19 (Tai jitsu is the only other art they filmed). It's all in French, but I envite everyone to check out the video at least. I'm the younger yudansha that gets interviewed (beard and long braided hair).

The aikido section starts at 23:45, and the report on the martial arts starts at 20:19 (Tai jitsu is the only other art they filmed). It's all in French, but I envite everyone to check out the video at least. I'm the younger yudansha that gets interviewed (beard and long braided hair).

Isnt it funny how much you can get away with when speaking French. I bet you wouldnt have told the interviewer that your number 1 ambition was to get a realy mint condition can of Steven Seagal's energy drink if you were speaking English

I'm sorry if this kind of kills the joke, but for the benefit of all those without French language skills, here is a translation of the transcipt. Prepared with the help of my very patient wife (herself a member of the dojo).
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Reporter
Another art with good visibility at Laval University is aikido. This time of Japanese origin. It has it's own characteristics.

Pierre Gosselin sensei
Aikido is distinct because there is no blocking, in the sense that we harmonize with the adversary's movement. We use his movement and return it to him, using movements that are generally circular.

Reporter
Details are of first importance to properly execute this art.

Pierre Gosselin sensei
Lots of time, lots of perseverance. Paying a lot of attention to the details, to the techniques and to oneself, because behind it all, behind the practise, is personal development. Learning to understand your body, movement, the spirit of the other, his psychology in order to be able to react automatically without thinking about what's happening.

Jonathan Olson (me)
I started aikido when I was a student spending too much time in front of my computer. I needed to move. I read about many different martial arts, the philosophy of aikido intrigued me.

Jean Laplante
I saw a documentary when I was young, where the master O-Sensei was doing a demonstration that took my breath away. I searched for a dojo, then I gave up, then one day I passed in front of the Centre St-Sacrament in Québec, and I decided to sign up. It's been 20 odd years.

Reporter
What do you like about this art?

Jean Laplante
It's not a violent art, we don't attack, we try to not really hurt each other, and we are recharged.

Reporter
I have the impression that injuries are unlikely.

[laughs - Note from Jonathan Olson: The inside joke here is that Jean is one of the most battered and injury prone aikidoka I know, and he knows it.]

Jonathan Olson (me)
Uh, yah.

Reporter
So I should change the question?

Jonathan Olson (me)
It's a good question. In theory we try to not injure the other, but we do techniques that put pressure on the joints, and could even be dangerous if the person is not careful while doing a throw, if the other partner has not learned to fall, and you have to adjust the intensity of the techniques with respect to the partner's ability.

Reporter
Pushing your limits while respecting each other, two essential elements to a good quality of life.